The holiday season: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why everyone (including yourself) could benefit from a little self care. It looks different for every person; some people might enjoy exercising, while others need a multi-step skin care routine. Giving your loved one a gift that’ll improve their wellness routine can be a meaningful way to show them how much you care.
To help you find the perfect self care gifts for everyone on your list, we rounded up ideas we think are worth considering based on our previous coverage and products we’ve tried.
SKIP AHEAD Best beauty and wellness gifts | Why trust NBC Select?
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Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This expert-recommended and NBC Select staff favorite lip mask uses hydrating ingredients like shea butter to moisturize, smoothen and soften your loved one’s lips throughout the day and overnight. “I never want to use another lip product after using this,” says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. You can get this lip mask in their favorite flavor, including Berry, Gummy Bear, Sweet Candy, Vanilla and holiday editions Candy Cane Swirl and Eggnog Latte.
ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Getting cozy and falling into a deep slumber may be easier with this pillow spray. Gift your loved one this spray, which can help improve overall sleep and ease sleep anxiety with lavender, camomile and vetivert oils, according to the brand.
Slip Silk Eye Mask
This sleep mask is an NBC Select staff favorite due to its soft and cooling silk material. It is available in black and pink and a contoured version if your loved one needs more eye space for their lashes.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
These gel under-eye patches are a favorite among our skin care experts — they come neatly stacked in a container, so your loved one can easily take them on the go. They’re also simple to use: They’ll need to apply it on dry, clean skin and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, according to the brand. During that time, the patches reduce the appearance of fine lines and any darkness in the area thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine and marshmallow root extract, according to Peter Thomas Roth.
Ouai Jingle All The Ouai Travel Size Gift Set
Gift sets are a great way to try new products and travel with favorites, including these small versions of expert-recommended and NBC Select-staff favorites from Ouai. It includes the brand’s Anti-Frizz Crème, Detox Shampoo, Leave-In Conditioner and St. Barts Scalp & Body Scrub. The crème helps reduce frizz, repair hair, and moisturize it, and the clarifying shampoo will help remove hard water and product buildup. The leave-in conditioner softens the hair and doubles as a heat protectant and detangling spray. Lastly, the scalp and body scrub will soften and exfoliate the skin without drying it out.
Loops Skincare Obsessed Kit
With this set of sheet face masks, your gift recipient can indulge in a moment of self care in just 10 minutes and get a complete skin care routine. This trio comes with the Weekly Reset (moisturizes, refines pores and stimulates collagen), Clean Slate (a hydrating but deep cleansing mask) and Fresh Peel (improves uneven tone, texture and dull skin).
Goop Beauty Dry Brush
Bringing the spa to your loved one’s home by gifting them this expert-recommended dry brush from Goop. Dry brushing, a common service at spas, helps physically exfoliate their skin while stimulating the lymphatic system to reduce inflammation and swelling, according to experts in our guide to dry brushing.
Lush Cosmetics Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar
Bring a massage directly to your recipient by gifting them this massage bar. The bar helps reduce the discomfort of achy and sore muscles with the help of ingredients like peppermint and cinnamon oil (which creates a warm and tingly sensation). I gift this to my mom every year, who often deals with body aches and pains. It’s a massive hit every time because it’s the perfect solution that gives quick results. It’s small enough to fit into a stocking, or buy a silver tin to place it in and put it under the tree without wrapping it.
Solawave 4-in-1 Wand
Solawave makes some of our favorite skincare devices, including their LED face mask. Your gift recipient can use this 4-in-1 wand, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. They just have to swipe the device across their face in upward and outward motions on their forehead, cheeks, under-eye area, jaw, neck and upper lip, according to the brand.
Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite Dpl FaceWare Pro
If your gift recipient loves beauty, consider gifting them this face mask. It has three treatment modes: red light, blue light, or a combination of both to address issues across skin types, including fine lines, uneven texture and acne-causing bacteria on the skin. “Each treatment cycle lasts three minutes and automatically shuts off at the end of each round, making it easy to integrate into your everyday routine without taking too much time or effort,” says NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris. “I also love that the adjustable strap holds the mask firmly in place, so there’s no need to sit still and wait for the treatment to end — I’ve made tea, done laundry, and even gone through a short stretch routine with mine on, and it’s never fallen off.”
Tangle Teezer The Chrome Ultimate Detangler
Elevate your loved ones’ basics with this new chrome hair brush from Tangle Teezer, the brand behind some of our favorite brushes. The brush, which can be used on wet or dry hair, comes in three metallic finishes: Champagne Gold, Chocolate Bronze and Mauve Copper. Regardless of the color, all three brushes reduce breakage and help easily detangle without pain or discomfort.
Crown Affair The Renewal Hair Mask
One of my favorite ways of indulging in a moment of self care is taking an “everything” shower, and that includes using this hair mask. In five to ten minutes, my damaged, dry hair instantly feels 10x softer, stronger and smoother than the days I do a regular shampoo and condition. Plus, it has a light, citrus scent that’s calming and relaxing—a perfect way for your loved one to continue decompressing even after they step out of the shower.
Wildling Empress Stone Gua Sha Facial Stone
If your loved one is a skin care enthusiast, this gua sha tool can be a great addition to their routine. Gua sha has several benefits, including relieving tension and stress, improving circulation and sculpting the face, according to experts in our guide to gua sha. Rooted in Chinese medicine, gua shas can be made from various stones; however, this one is made from bian stone, which has healing benefits and creates an enhanced therapeutic effect, according to our experts.
The Jolie Filtered Showerhead
Enhance your loved one’s shower routine by gifting them a filtered showerhead, which removes impurities in the water so that their hair can be damage-free and their skin can remain perfectly intact. “It takes less than five minutes to install, so anyone can do it,” says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin. “It elevates any shower experience, and I think anyone will be grateful for that.”
Dyson Airwrap
This is one of the best gifts I ever received — it had been on my “want” list for so long. It’s the perfect hot tool since it can do so much and is user-friendly, which is why I love it. With the Dyson Airwrap, your loved one can curl, dry and shape their hair without causing heat damage or unwanted frizz, according to the brand. It’s suitable for all hair types and comes with three-speed settings, three heat settings and six attachments to help achieve your giftee’s preferred style.
Augustinus Bader X Sofia Coppola The Tinted Lip Balm
Whether your loved one is a film aficionado or just loves lip care, this tinted lip balm will nourish, plump and soften their lips. The universal balm is available in three sheer yet buildable shades, including Shade 1 (a deep pink), Shade 2 (a bright coral red) and Shade 3 (a deep plum.) If you can’t choose which is best for them — you can purchase the trio and have them try all their options.
Dieux Forever Eye Mask
If your gift recipient is an eye mask lover, consider gifting them this set. “The Dieux ones are great for frequent wearers (ahem, me) because you’re not tossing pairs in the trash after a single use,” says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. To enhance the self care moment, she places them in the fridge for a few minutes before applying them to her skin for a cooling effect.
Glossier Crème de You
Gift one of Glossier’s newest launches this holiday season — its body cream, which has the same scent as the brand’s bestselling perfume Glossier You. “Although it’s a rich cream, it feels super lightweight and has a silky feel on the skin,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio.
L’Occitane Hand Cream
L’occitane makes my favorite hand cream — it’s perfectly luxurious and thick without being greasy or taking forever to absorb. I love its effectiveness at keeping my hands soft and moisturized, so I never go a day without using it. In my opinion, this is the epitome of “it’s the little things that count.” This hand cream is available in three additional scents and comes in a travel-size version that is perfect for stocking stuffers. “My mom restocks this every year for me in my stocking because it’s my favorite hand cream,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez.
Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
Take baths to the next level with this bamboo caddy tray, with a 4.6-star average rating from over 30,500 reviews on Amazon. The adjustable tray has space for items like a wine glass, phone/tablet, book, candle holder and even snacks like chocolates, according to the brand.
Hatch Restore 2
This sunrise alarm clock can gently wake them up in the morning with a gradual sunrise light and soothing sounds of nature rather than a noisy alarm clock. The Hatch Restore 2 also includes curated content channels with music, rest exercises and sleep stories to help them drift away after a long day.
Pura Pura 4
As much as I love gifting and receiving a candle, this product has officially changed my life and is now a replacement for myself and my loved ones. This smart diffuser releases fragrances of your choosing (many of which are initially in candle form) with a push of a button on your phone. Using the accompanying app, your gift recipient can choose which scent is being released into their living space and what the fragrance intensity is. They can also set a timer or schedule times it should go off.
Calm Membership
Calm is an NBC Select Wellness Award winner for best meditation app and is a great way to ease the mind into a restful state throughout the day and before bed, according to our staff. The app provides a range of meditations, storytelling and soundscapes, and the premium subscription grants full library access.
Wthn Acupressure Mat Set
“Whenever my back hurts, I lie on this and instantly feel relief,” says Malin. “It’s great for anyone who sits at a desk all day and drives a lot. I would’ve killed to have this in college when I was hunched over a desk.”
Lake Pajamas Pima Robe
Lake makes some of our favorite pajama sets because of their Pima cotton, which Schneider says is the softest fabric she’s ever put on. This cozy yet cooling robe has a length suitable for all heights and has side pockets for convenience and a sewn-in belt to tailor the fit specifically to them.
Therabody RecoveryAir Prime
Give the gift of recovery with these travel-friendly wireless compression boots. The boots help accelerate recovery, reduce soreness, improve mobility and boost performance, according to the brand. They can tailor the treatment by selecting one of four pressure levels and choosing how long their recovery time is. The boots, which fold like pants for easy portability, are available in three lengths (short, regular and long) so your gift recipient can comfortably recover.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Daily Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men
For the men in your life, consider gifting them this energizing, non-greasy moisturizer. It uses vitamin C, caffeine and chestnut extract to soften and hydrate their skin while also helping improve dull skin, according to the brand. They can use it daily or use it as an aftershave treatment.
Tronque Firming Body Butter
You can never have too many body lotions in your rotation and this rich and luxurious body butter from Tronque will surely be a favorite for your loved one. It focuses on combatting dry skin and plumping and firming it, according to the brand. “I’ve used this almost every day since getting it,” says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown. “It’s my favorite body lotion for sure and don’t be fooled by the heavier texture — it absorbs in a moderate amount of time and doesn’t feel too heavy.”
Stakt Yoga Mat
Whether your loved one loves to work out at home, practice yoga, or engage in meditation, this lightweight yoga mat is perfect for them. According to the brand, its foldable design adapts to your workout and offers support throughout your movements, like an extra cushion on your wrists.
Oribe Italian Resin Flat Brush
One of the best gifts I’ve received is this brush from Oribe because it’s easily the most gorgeous brush I own. I never want to hide away in my bathroom, so I leave it out so everyone who walks into it can see the custom-designed Italian resin. Not only is it a chic hair tool and my go-to brush for updos, but its boar bristles help create a polished, sleek and shiny look.
Le Mini Macaron Le Sweet Box
Le Mini Macaron makes some of my favorite nail care kits, and this box is perfect for beauty and nail enthusiasts on your holiday gift-giving list. This festive box comes with eight nail polishes and a top coat that gives your loved one a long-lasting manicure. These polishes are 85% plant-based, with ingredients including blueberries, spinach, avocado and biotin to help fortify and strengthen nails, according to the brand.
Touchland Power Mist Set
These NBC Select-staff favorite hand sanitizers are now available in this set of five. With five scents (Wild Watermelon, Vanilla Blossom, Berry Bliss, Mango Passion and Pure Lavender), your loved one can alternate between their favorite options. I love gifting Touchland products to my friends and family during the holidays because it’s a present I can confidently say they will use and love for a long time.
Salt & Stone Antioxidant-Rich Body Wash
Make your gift recipient’s shower routine extra luxurious with this antioxidant-rich body wash. “Salt & Stone’s body washes are my current obsessions because they smell like I’m walking into a spa,” says Godio. “They leave my skin feeling soft, and the scent actually lasts. I also love that they’re unisex — I got my husband addicted to them, too.” The gel body wash, which comes in three scents, is formulated with seaweed, blueberry extract, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to soothe, protect, repair and hydrate your skin, according to the brand.
Rhode Lip Case + Peptide Lip Treatment
If you aren’t gifting Rhode’s skin care or makeup, consider this phone case and lip treatment duo, which is the perfect gift for lip care enthusiasts. The silicone bubble case, compatible with select iPhone models, has a soft touch and feel that allows you to easily hold onto your phone without it dropping. Even if it does fall, it’s still protected. The best part about it? There’s a designated slot for their favorite Rhode Peptide treatment or tint. No matter which Rhode lip product I use, my lips are always soft, plump and have the most gorgeous high shine, non-sticky gloss finish and now I never have to worry about losing it thanks to its accompanying phone case.
Bala Bangles
“I’m more motivated to exercise when I use cute fitness equipment, so if anyone in my life expresses interest in working out, I buy them these weights, which are equally functional and fashionable.” says Malin, who has been using Bala Bangles (two-time NBC Select Wellness Award winners) for four years. “They’re great for people at all fitness levels, so there’s no barrier to entry, and they’re easy to incorporate into any fitness routine, like walking, yoga or pilates.”
Papier Joy Gratitude Journal
Help your gift recipient clear their mind with a moment to themselves as they fill out this gratitude journal. With over 150 pages, they can follow daily prompts and monthly check-ins, find uplifting messages, partake in gratitude challenges and more. I have many Papier journals and each one is so easy to follow, they’re durable and are overall some of the most chic stationary. The gratitude journals are available in multiple colors and designs, so you can find the best gratitude journal for your loved one.
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Rescue Bestsellers Kit
This trio from Tower 28, which includes the SOS Spray, SOS cream and SOS lip balm, is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. I use all three of them in my current routine and cannot image a world without them — the spray is anti-inflammatory and bacterial, the cream is lightweight yet moisturizing and soothing and the lip balm helps keep my lips hydrated and prevents dry, chapped lips.
Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum
One of the best ways I’ve elevated my everything shower and indulged in self care lately is by using this body serum. Although this is an added step in their routine, it feels far from a chore — its creamy and luscious lightweight consistency is one of my favorite feelings because its consistency is fantastic and extremely hydrating. It’s perfect for any gift recipient because it works on all skin types and even has the National Eczema Association’s (NEA) Seal of Acceptance. Plus, it’s green and comes in a glass bottle, so it’s an aesthetically pleasing addition to anyone’s bathroom.
Alo Moves
Skip the gym and join one of the on-demand classes from Alo Moves, an NBC Select Wellness Award winner. The virtual platform offers classes, including barre, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, and more, for all levels and individuals, as well as pre- and postnatal care. “Alo Moves is great about constantly adding new classes, so the content feels fresh,” says Malin. In addition to physical movement guidance, they also have wellness classes you can follow, meditations, breathwork, and reflections.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides for NBC Select, including recent stories on the best body washes for sensitive skin and the best acne body washes. For this article, I compiled a list of the best beauty and wellness gifts, which are expert-recommended products, highly rated ones, and NBC Select staff favorites.
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